Favorite Stage Door Experiences- Page 5

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 5/30/06 at 11:44pm

Liz, I bet you made Goldblum's day that day.

[jetteson]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 12:45am

I baked cookies of Sherie Renee Scott because I read somewhere that she relishes oatmeal cookies. Okay, not baked, bought at a bakery somewhere just off of Times Square, but they were great cookies! I digress. Anyway, I asked the house manager to deliver them back to her when I went to see "Dirty Rotton ..." with a note attached, just to be a cute fanboy or something, and he asked me to wait a second as he radio-ed somebody. Next thing I know, he says that I could just do it myself, to my thrill. So I get to go backstage BEFORE A SHOW and deliver the cookies, fully expecting her to say thank you and throw them away when I left. I got to her room when the mic was being placed under her hair/wig, and she went bonanza, it was hilarious. She took this sticky note off of her mirror that said "Loose Weight, Eat Chocolate, Ask Me How" and put it on the box, and walked next door to Gleason's dressing room and told her to shove the cookies up her ass, which was really funny to Gleason. Inside joke I assume. So she gave me a cookie, Gleason a cookie, a cookie for herself, and kissed my Playbill with really red lipstick, and asked if I could find my own way out! I "got lost" but eventually made it back.

Not stagedoor, but really a great moment for me.

Jetteson

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 1:03am

I feel like I want to try to pick something, but it's a weird blessing that I have such difficulty choosing *one*. A lot of it all blurs together in this weird conglomeration of some sort of alternate reality, as if these things were years in the past when they truly were only months ago. (Well, many of them are recent; the first really was years ago. It's just a cute funny one, though.)

The first time I met Patrick Wilson, I made a total ass of myself; near three years later, my friends still laugh at me for it. I was with my best friend from high school and my dad, who I was giving my camera to. As I was showing him how to work it, Patrick came outside, and my friend started jabbing my shoulder to get my attention. I whipped around to find Patrick standing right next to me, gorgeous grin on his face. I looked up, and just said "..... wow," as I stood there in absolute awe.

I've had a lot of wonderful meetings with fantastic people, but rather than list little quips, assuming people are actually going to bother to read this, I guess I'll try to post one particular favorite experience.

Everybody knows I'm a huge huge huge Adam Pascal fan. I've met the guy a bunch of times, but up until very recently, I was scared out of my pants of him. In the course of four years, I probably spoke about eight words to him, even though he had always been extremely kind to me. Last March, I was formally introduced to him on a giant stroke of luck, and things began to click in terms of familiarty and whatnot.

The Rent movie press was slowing down around the time of the 24 Hour Plays on Broadway benefit last October, so I had seen Adam at lot of appearances in the months prior. We ran into each other inside the box office while I was waiting on line for rush tickets, but what was most striking about the whole thing was that he saw me, and took the initiatve to come over and say hi. I was just sort of going to smile at him and pretend to make a phone call, or something, out of being too shy to bother. But he came over and asked how I was, what I was doing, etc, and we had a real, human conversation; that meant a lot to me, on a personal level, since I was able to get past being incapacitated by my shyness.

After the show, I was with some friends in the lobby of the theatre, and I saw Adam on his way out. I gently got his attention, started to congratulate him on his performance, and told him how fantastic he was -- I planned to just say a quick hello and congrats, since he was talking to someone, but before I had any idea what was going on, Adam slid his hand into mine, and held onto it, as if to say "hold on, don't go anywhere," as he finished his conversation. He turned to my friends and I, and to my greatly ridiculous surprise, used some term of endearment ("hey sweetie," or the like), pulled me over to him, and kissed my cheek, thanking me for coming, over and over again. I was so boggled because he had always been very kind to me, but never outwardly affectionate or overly attentive, or anything. We talked for a while, took some pictures, and my friends got things signed. The details of what was said, though some people like to read them, and I could probably tell them, aren't even really important; for me, it was just the fact that it was real, and chill, and comfortable -- not "can you sign this okay thanks bye!" or anything like that. Adam sort of got dragged away to sign other things, but before he left, he came back over to say goodnight, which was very sweet.

Truth be told, I was more than a little bit giddy, and basically flung myself happily into a friend's arms about 20 minutes later; he knew exactly what had induced my little high, it seemed.

Adam moved to California about a month ago, and between then and the last time I saw him face-to-face, things sort of continued to be a lot more chill than I was used to; and more than it was like "OH MY GOD ADAM PASCAL KISSED ME AAH!!" it was a relief to sort of get over that little personal hurdle, if you will. In the time that passed between the 24 Hour Plays and the last concert set I saw him play, we've cracked jokes with each other, and actually spoken at length, as well as other little things. In all seriousness, while I know this is no token "relationship" by any means, and that it means very little in the grand scheme of the world, getting to a non-awkward point of real human conversation with someone whose work you love so much is a cool feeling, to say the least.

And hey, I've got piles of stories to shatter the bad reputation he does not deserve.

Updated On: 5/31/06 at 01:03 AM

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 2:35am

"but up until very recently, I was scared out of my pants of him."

Umm...well...old habits die hard

That was a GREAT night. And you kept Adam there for me to finally meet after taking forever to get out of the American Airlines mezz

"Truth be told, I was more than a little bit giddy, and basically flung myself happily into a friend's arms about 20 minutes later; he knew exactly what had induced my little high, it seemed."

Hahaha, nice description. And no understatements there at all.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 8:24am

And hey, I've got piles of stories to shatter the bad reputation he does not deserve.

He has a bad reputation? He sure DOESN'T deserve it. I had the pleasure of meeting him before his concert in Cleveland. y friends and I were just walking around before the show and we walked past the stage door and saw Adam standing there having a cigarette. He signed my poster (and my friend's shoe!) took some pictures with us, and then stayed and talked to us for a good 15-20 minutes. I've never been so comfortable talking to a "celebrity." We just had like a real, genuine conversation. He was even giving me advice about college next year, and he was just amazingly sweet. We waited for him again after the show, until all the fans finished nundating him with autograph requests, and just walked up to him and shook his hand and told him how much we enjoyed the show.

That was such a memorable, awesome night. Thanks to Adam, we left there on such a high... and what a concert TOO! "Maybe This Time" was orgasmic!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 11:21am

LOL, I don't know what the obsession with asking Adam to sign shoes is, but that's hilarious.

He does, but it's dying, I think. He's grown up a lot, and the bad reputation seems to be a lingering misery from his earlier work, since he wasn't always as good at dealing with fans and press, etc, I gather -- but he doesn't deserve even half of the sh*t he gets. I've seen him mock and bitch out his share of fangirls, but the truth is, as it is with almost anyone, if you're respectful of him, he'll give it right back. People have said he's not grateful for what he has, but I don't think that's true; he's been more genuinely appreciative of my support than he needs to be, under any circumstances. And in addition to that, I think the "diva" reputation, at least in its current incarnation, often comes out of affectionate joking, even though it probably does have roots in truth.

By the time I caught on, he certainly knew how to handle and charm a crowd, but my interactions with him had been frightfully robotic for years. I'd ask him to sign something, have a plan for what to say, abandon it, and clam up. I sort of slowly got comfortable, realizing he wasn't scary, and very, very gradually emerged from my shell; but it was sort of mutual, because once he had seen me around at a lot of his non-Broadway gigs, he became a lot friendlier and engaging. The last time I saw him, he asked if I had fun at the gig, which just sort of made me laugh, because... well, clearly. But he knew my friends and I had driven all the way out from NYC (we were in southern Jersey), and was so down-to-earth with gratitude, and even though there was a lot going on, he was really attentive in talking with me. Everybody has their moments, but I think he's charming, kind, witty, and incredibly sweet -- not as rough around the edges as you might think, I guess.

What a long, rambly post. hah.

Updated On: 5/31/06 at 11:21 AM

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 12:24pm

It was wierd, because I usually can never get myself to say anything more to an actor than, "Great performance," or something like that. I was amazed that I was able to just stand there and talk to him and be so chill. He was totally cool to me and my friends and was just one of the classiest "celebs" I've had the chance to meet. He just seemed like an all around great guy.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 12:32pm

He is pretty approchable, I suppose. He's very confident, which can be intimidating, but he just *looks* friendly.

I've never straight-up told him how amazing I think he is, though... I think he knows.

Updated On: 5/31/06 at 12:32 PM

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 1:08pm

LOL Emcee! Im pretty sure he does.

Anyone who would sign someone's shoe must be pretty friendly. (My friend wheres those shoes all the time now!)

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 1:43pm

Wow. He signs shoes, and we know his shoe size! Lucky us.

He really was *great* in Jersey. Very appreciative that we drove all the way "up" (as he amusingly mistakenly put it) and really was concerned and wanted to make sure that we enjoyed it and it was worth the trip, which it certainly was.

I think he's the kind of person that...you watch from afar and he's intimidating but then when you get the courage to go up to him, he's so down-to-earth and awesome, that you feel at ease.

I'm not quite sure where his reputation came from or what he was like in the earlier days, but from first meeting him this past October, he's been nothing but incredibly nice and super-friendly with everyone. From what I've heard, not that he was ever unfriendly, but as of late, he's really taken it up a notch, and it's just been amazing.

When I got to the table in Jersey, he was like "Hi, how are you, how have you been?" totally shocking me; I didn't think he would remember me. I think he knew my face was familiar, not that he could rememebr any specifics, but still...it meant the world to me.

And he drops the word "sweetie" a lot. And says it in a voice that...aww *gets all warm and comfy thinking about it*

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 1:51pm

I honestly don't remember his shoe size. I think I blocked that part out.

And yeah, if I were to be like "hey, Adam! You know I think you're incredible, right?" it would probably be THE most obvious statement of the year.

Updated On: 5/31/06 at 01:51 PM

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 2:13pm

Haha. I'm not positive, but I think he's a 10. I know his are bigger than mine(I'm an 8 1/2).

Posted: 6/25/06 at 1:47am

I came in here looking for great Norbert stories, and I now dispointed. Has anyone here actually met him? If so, stories please. I need to feed my addiction. Haha.

Updated On: 6/25/06 at 01:47 AM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 2:10am

The cast of Tarzan- They were so nice! I had my little brother with me, and they made him feel pretty at ease. My brother told Jenn Gambatese "Good job" and she thought it was the greatest thing. Too cute. Josh & Chester were also really great.
When Merle Dandridge finally came out, there were only a few people left, so we got to chat a bit. I told her that she had been in both my first Broadway show, as well as my brother's (Rent for me, last year, and Tarzan for my brother). She thought that was cool, and was just really sweet.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 3:38am

Well, any Norbert stories here would have to be before January of this year alas. Ever since his vocal trouble began, he has not been able to be chatty at all. I've met him backstage of DRS and believe me, he just cannot speak. Strict vocal silence after every show, though I have seen him saw a few words here or there.
Updated On: 6/25/06 at 03:38 AM

[mijofly19]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 8:07am

I saw DRS last night, and Norbert couldn't talk at all at the stage door. With the exception of a few thank you's he was virtually silent.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 8:41am

Norbert and I talked a lot last August. I was going all crazy fangirl because hey, he's Norbert! I shook his hand and he told me how he noticed me during the show because of my energy. I love him. The end.

[elphieisperky]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 12:15pm

Gotta agree with you alliez, I mean come on, he's Norbert! But I respect the vocal silence. But as for my best stage door experience, my favorite of all time was going backstage (at Wicked) to meet Idina for my birthday. Sure some people had bad reactions, but I had never met a sweeter person. She treated me like I was the special one. We had a great conversation, I asked her about her being in the show with Taye, which I had just found out, and her face lit up, and she went on and on saying it was like a second honeymoon! I honestly wish I had a tape recorder or something, because I never want to forget that. I also got to go backstage and meet Harvey Firestein, which was really cool too :)

[HeartandMusic]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 12:22pm

When I met Bernadette Peters after seeing Gypsy and she autographed the glove that had been dropped into my lap during the Gypsy strip. She is absolutely my favorite actress! (Not because of the glove thing, because she is spectacular.) : )

[SirLiir]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 2:16pm

It is really a shame because Norbert does like to talk with his fans but his condition makes it very difficult. The only real conversation I have had with him in a while has been on a night when he did not perform.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 5:07pm

Yay the threads alive again. I love reading all these stories. Keep them comming.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 5:12pm

I had seen Laura Benanti in INTO THE WOODS...and missed her at the stage door.

I saw her again in NINE...and missed her at the stage door.

Finally, when I saw THE WEDDING SINGER, I presented her with a dozen white roses and told her how I've adored all of her performances and was glad to finally meet her.

I then told her I'd ask her to marry me if she wasn't married already. She informed me that she was no longer married. SO...I proposed to her right there.


...and she accepted.

Posted: 6/25/06 at 5:27pm

I was at the Spelling Bee stage door in SF and the whole cast was incredibly sweet and made conversation with me. While signing my playbill, Jenni Barber (Olive) told me she liked my shoes and jacket. It made me happy. =]

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:52pm

Another one that really made me giggle was this:

My third time seeing The Rocky Horror Show on Broadway, Terrence Mann was Frank n' Furter(he was incredible, by the way). After the show, my cousins and I were just about the only people at the stagedoor. Terrence came out and started to chat with us, and told me how much he liked my jacket. I laughed, and we took a picture. He had his arm around me in the picture, and the next thing I knew, he took off my jacket and pretended to run away. It was SO funny! He was so nice, I had NO clue what was going on. I was just standing there watching freaking Terrence Mann running off with my jacket.
Edit: He (reluctantly) gave it back to me. Would have been to small for him, anyway!
Updated On: 6/25/06 at 06:52 PM

[rosem7391]

Posted: 6/26/06 at 1:03am

JACQUES BREL

Yeah, I've never done the whole "stage door thing" so this isn't technically stage door but...

After the show it was raining reeeally hard so I was sort of hanging around the lobby area of the Zipper.

I'm just leaning against the wall sort of absently I guess, not paying much attention. I hear footsteps coming pretty fast and then come to a really sudden stop and then I hear "Woah, hi there"

It was Rodney Hicks.

He went on to say "Wow, sorry, it's just...you totally look like you're in a commercial or an add or something right now"

I was like "oh..hah, thank you. Great show!" and we talked about the show for a while, and how he assumed I lived in town but no, sadly. We talked about how he went to Juliard and he told me to email him and I said how I really wanted to go to school in New York blah blah blah and it was a really nice chat.

Then Robert Cuccioli came by, clearly in a hurry to leave, but Rodney made him come over and meet me and we shook hands and it was fun.

Not to mention I had been eating at the same restaurant as Natascia Diaz right before the show.

It was kind of exciting- Rodney practically ordered me to email him, and he was really nice as was Robert.

Good cast.